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In Detroit, Michigan, the outpouring of offers of help and support from around the country for 7-year-old Alexis Goggins, who was shot six times protecting her mother, has overwhelmed the family, a relative said Wednesday.

Alexis, her mother Selietha Parker, 30, and family friend Aisha Ford, 29, were forced at gunpoint into Ford's SUV around midnight on Saturday. Ford had driven to Parker's home on Dwyer on the city east side to pick up her friend and daughter after the furnace in Parker's house failed.

Police said Calvin Tillie, 29, Parker's former boyfriend, then forced his way into the vehicle and ordered Ford to drive him to an address on Six Mile. Ford told him she did not have enough gas and drove to a gas station to try to get help. While pumping gas, she called 9-1-1. The attendant at the gas station on Seven Mile also called police as shots rang out in the vehicle parked at the gas pump.

Police said Tillie shot Parker twice and fired six shots into Alexis when she jumped from the back seat to shield her mother from Tillie. He was arrested by Detroit officers as he got out of the vehicle with a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol in his hand. He is in the Wayne County Jail facing numerous charges of kidnapping, assault with intent to murder, child abuse and habitual criminal penalties as a four-time felon. Tillie will have a preliminary examination in 36th District Court on Dec. 17.

Alexis remains in stable but critical condition at Children's Hospital in Detroit with wounds to her eye, temple, chin, cheek, chest and right arm. Parker, who was shot in the head and arm, was treated and released. "Alexis is responding to treatment and appears to be fighting well for her life," Bodley said. She is still slipping in and out of consciousness, he said. While she was being bathed on Wednesday, Alexis pushed away the nurse's hand, which onlookers considered to be a good sign, Bodley said. "We're not out of the woods yet," he said. "But we're very hopeful she's going to survive this incident."

She faces surgery to her eye on Friday. Bodley said all indications are that Alexis will lose the eye.

Checks should be made out to the Alexis Goggins Hero Fund and sent to:

Campbell Elementary School c/o Alexis Goggins Hero Fund
2301 E Alexandrine St,
Detroit, MI 48207.

For information, call (313) 494-2052.